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Expert discusses federal health care payments

Posted at 9:44 PM, Dec 29, 2013
and last updated 2013-12-29 23:44:33-05

SALT LAKE CITY – More than 1.1 million people enrolled in the federal health care program as of Christmas Eve.

Those enrolled will have to familiarize themselves with the way payments work, and FOX 13 News spoke with Trisha McGarry, who is the chief marketing officer with Arches Health Plan, about how their system works.

"You have until March 31st to make sure you go in and sign up and get covered,” she said. “So there's still plenty of time if you haven't gotten covered by the end of the year, you still have three months to go through that process."

McGarry said it’s important for young people to consider getting insurance.

"Many of these 20-somethings aren't covered or aren't considering coverage," McGarry said. “They don't understand the implications of not having health care coverage, because they're young and healthy. What we encourage them to understand is that one-sixth of the 20-something population either develops a chronic illness, or circumstance, or they're in a major accident. Three days in the hospital can cost $30,000.”

Those who sign up in January and make their first payment before the 15th will have coverage by February 1. Customers then pay on the 15th of every month for coverage that begins on the first of the following month. Those who signed up on healthcare.gov may have different payment schedules.

See the video above for more information, or visit Arches Health Plan’s website.